Editor's note: This article was modified from its original version to update the time and date of a public hearing.

VERO BEACH — The city could decide next month it no longer needs the downtown Post Office property, opening the door to a quick sale of the building and north parking lot.

The Post Office would remain in operation.

The city is in the third year of a five-year lease agreement with the U.S. Postal Service, which pays $110,000 a year for the property. The lease would remain attached to the property, and transfer to the new owner, if the city sells it, city officials said.

A public hearing is scheduled 9:30 a.m. April 17 to consider whether to declare the property surplus, the first procedural step toward selling it.

New York-based Nationwide Postal Management has offered $1.2 million for the property, 2050 13th Ave., just east of the railroad tracks. City Manager Jim O'Connor on Tuesday told the City Council he had not publicly solicited bids for the property, but encouraged interested buyers to submit proposals.

As a downtown business owner, Joe Cataldo, a downtown business owner, said he might be interested. But as a member of the city Economic Development Zone Committee, he said he thinks the city should not sell at all.

"(The Post Office) is sort of the centerpiece of that whole area," he said. "Do you want someone else to decide to put a Dollar Store downtown?"

At least one council member said he opposes selling.

"I have no confidence in this company putting the interest of Vero Beach as No. 1," said Councilman Tony Young. Most residents want to keep historic Vero Beach the way it is, he said.

"I think the post office is a significant element of downtown Vero Beach and should be retained," he said.